Breast feeding

I have been talking to my doctor about breast feeding and using formula because I can't afford to be out of work for a long time. My doctor suggested breast feeding at night and in the morning and using formula throughout the day. How long do most women breast feed for and what do you think of my doctors suggestion.

[houseofgirls]

I personally wouldn't do that, but you have to decide what is best for you.  If possible, could you pump for the feedings during the day?  I just think breastmilk is so important for the baby, so if at all possible, I would avoid formula.  I breastfed my first dd for 1 year, and my baby is almost 4 months old and breastfeeding.  I plan on breastfeeding her for at least a year, maybe a little longer.  I am a stay at home mom, though...but if I was working outside of the home, than I would pump.  I personally found pumping to be quite easy, but not everyone does.  Its really a decision you need to make based on what you are comfortable with.

[Diana508]

Will I be able to pump enough for a eight hour day?

[houseofgirls]

Well, you will need to establish your milk supply, so in the beginning you will need to either nurse or pump frequently.  While at work, you will need to pump as often as your baby would be eating.  I think at the beginning it would be like every 2 or 3 hours.  You also would want to get a really good pump if you are going to be pumping regularly.  Either a hospital grade pump that you could rent from your hospital, or what I use is the pump in style by Medela.  I don't pump very often now, because I am home with her all the time, and she personally does not like the bottle.  But I do keep a supply going in my freezer, just in case I have to go out without her.  Pumping and nursing do take dedication, but it is really worth it!

[Diana508]

Thank you for your answer.

[houseofgirls]

Your welcome!  Good luck with whatever you choose!  

[Diana508]

Do you like the manuel pumps or the electric? I have heard the manuel pumps are easier.

[pertykitty]

i did do exactly that when i had my son. i didnt have time or the desire to pump, however if i could do it differently i would have tried pumping and not doing any formula.  

[houseofgirls]

No, I use the double electric pump.  Manuel works well for some people, and especially if they don't need to pump frequently.  Also they do tend to be cheaper, so for some people they are good.  I personally have tried a few different pumps, and the double electric pump was most effective for me.  I can get quite a bit of milk out in a really short period of time.  I think I usually get between 5-10 ounces total in about 10 minutes.  Honestly, if you pump regularly, electric is the way to go.  And when I first started pumping, I had a cheaper single electric pump, which worked fine, but literally fell apart within like a month or so.  The medela pump in style was really worth the money, and I've had it for 2 babies, and it is still going strong!

[Diana508]

My only concern with electric is that I have heard that they hurt compared to manuel.

[houseofgirls]

I have never experienced pain while pumping.  If you find pumping to be painful, than either you have the suction on the wrong setting, or maybe the part that goes over your nipple is not the right size.  Also, I find breastfeeding to be painful during the first couple of weeks.  Newborns have a really strong suck, and I ended up with scabs and bleeding with both of my babies.  I just use lanolin and those soothie inserts, and it gets better really quick.

[Danalou275]

Definately electric!!! I would have died without it. The manual ones take 3x longer, are messy, don't empty you out as well. I pumped/ breastfed 2 babies for 2 years. The problem with only nursing at night is that the milk decreases by quite a bit- like half. Better than nothing, though. I cried and cried when I started nursing because it hurt so much, and then cried when it was time to wean.

[Danalou275]

EVERYTHING hurts the first couple of weeks, and then you develop nipples of steel. It's sad, though, I have almost no feeling in them 5 years later.

[low22]

I'm a working mom and still do all breast milk.  It's challenging but you can do it if you're diligent about it.  I have a pump in style advanced.  Next time I'm renting a hospital grade one.  Anyway, I pump three times a day at work for about 20 minutes each time.  I also pump before I go to bed, once in the middle of the night, and again early in the morning.  DD breastfeeds in the evening and for a middle of the night feeding (I pump one side and feed her from the other).  I just recently started pumping in the mornings because she gets too distracted when she b/f's and she'll get more milk if she takes a bottle.  My dd will be 6 months on January 3rd.  I just got my first AF yesterday...boo...so my supply is a little low this week (they say that happens).  I'm hoping it kicks back in once she's gone.  In the meantime, I drink lots of water and I'll probably gets Mother's Milk Tea (herbs that increase milk production).  Good luck!  It is very rewarding to be able to nurse!  I love it!  

[low22]

And yes, get some Lanolin because it does hurt for those first few weeks!  It's make your toes curl under at first but it does get better!

[tiredbuthappy]

my pump in style advance is more comfortable than my manual pumps, but my manual pumps are more effective at getting the milk out for me. it's different for everyone. i only use the manual once a day at work for the convenience of not lugging the electric. plus, even though the manual is faster, i have to do each breast individually so the total time spent pumping is the same.

i think breastfeeding at night and in the am, and using formula in between would only be effective once your supply is established. in the beginning it is crucial to nurse/pump every 2-3 hours to establish your supply. after that, your body adjusts to supply/demand.

to anyone who pumps- i strongly recommend the pumpin pals angles breast shield. you can order it off the internet, although my lactation consultant gave me a pair. it is much easier on the nipples, and makes it possible to sit comfortably and lean back while you pump.

[jenstam]

I am also a working mom and nurse while at home in the evenings and at night and morning and then pump while I'm at work using an electric double pump and I produce more than enough for my son to eat all day with just two pumps once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It has not been much of a problem at all. I have heard of women having supply problems and not having enough or their baby not taking the bottle or refusing the breast but I guess I have been lucky. I would really not suggest using formula at all if you want to do breastmilk as it is supply and demand but it's up to you. Kellymom.com is a wonderful resource for questions related to this subject.

[peekawho]

Your doctors suggestion is ok once breastfeeding is well established, perhaps a month or so after delivery.  
Though some women can sucessfully switch from breast to formula, it is harder on the baby's digestive tract, and it can seriously impact your milk supply if done too early.  

Great, controversial questions you have!  Pacifiers, breastfeeding, circumcision, and profiles-deleting!  Nice to see you aren't horribly aggravated with these forums!  Keep 'em coming.  You have questions, we have answers.  

[low22]

Our lo's are about the same age and I am totally envious that you get enough in two pumping sessions!  I can only wish!  I need three sessions just to get me two bottles and then I make up for the third bottle before bed and at about 2am every morning!  How much is your lo eating?  Bella gets 5oz three times a day while I'm at work...and I would bet she woudl take 6oz if it was offered to her.  

[jenstam]

I get about 9 oz each session, so about 18 oz per day. He takes about 4-5 oz every 3 hrs. He still isn't eating a whole lot at one sitting and far more prefers the breast. The bottle will do for most days until Mommy gets home but he holds out some days for the real deal (:

[rubyolivia]

My son switches back and forth and has done so since he was only a month old. I went back to work and it's too hard for me to take the time to pump. He goes with me, but he takes SO much longer to nurse. The next baby will be exclusively breastfed...no questions asked!  My supply is so screwed up due to the switching back and forth(and so is my son's belly). Pumping doesn't work good for me either. I have the Medela Pump in Style and it only gets me about 4-5oz at a time(on a good day)...my son drinks 8 oz!  I'd have alot of pumping to do to keep up with his needs! Babies are just so much better at extracting the milk than a pump is!

[Me2mommy2b]

I would do anything to exclusively breastfeed for a year.  I made a few mistakes and lost my milk completely at 6 months.  Number 1 reason I wish I exclusively breastfed is..my milk is so much better for her than ANY formula.  Number 2, it's the cheapest!!  Formulas can be very pricey and you go through one can a week so it can come out to $120 a month (or even more).  Something that you don't spend if you're breastfeeding.  If you want to commit to breastfeeding, it is doable even while at work.  I went back to work 3 months PP and continued to breastfeed for 3 more months after that.  I wish I was more religious with the pumping (which I was not) so I began to lose milk fast.  Good luck.  Do whatever YOU'RE comfortable with.